In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Snyder sit down with Jeffrey Bernstein to explore how finance leaders can better communicate financial insights and influence decision-making across an organization. The conversation focuses on the gap between technical financial knowledge and the ability to clearly explain what the numbers actually mean to non-finance stakeholders.

Jeffrey is a Senior Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets Advisory at Riveron, a leading advisor to the Office of the CFO and Private Equity. Early in his career, Jeff was a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, where he helped execute IPOs in the technology sector for over a decade. Afterward, he spent more than 15 years as a portfolio manager investing in disruptive public and private companies. For the last eight years, Jeff has served as a trusted strategic advisor to pre-IPO companies, guiding them toward successful public exits.

Expect to Learn:

1. Why finance professionals play a crucial role in the IPO process
2. How to prepare a company financially for a successful public listing
3. The importance of building financial trust with public investors
4. How to evaluate the readiness of your financial systems and team for the IPO process

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

1. “The biggest change from private to public is transitioning from over-promising to under-promising and over-delivering.”- Jeff Bernstein
2. “Financial integrity isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about being transparent, avoiding gimmicks, and sticking to metrics that have real meaning.”- Jeff Bernstein

Jeff shares valuable insights on the complexities of going public, managing quarterly earnings, and maintaining investor trust. He also discusses how FP&A teams can help steer the company through financial reporting, forecasting, and strategic decision-making post-IPO.

Follow Jeffrey:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-bernstein-498a23158/

Company - https://www.linkedin.com/company/riveron/

Website - https://riveron.com/

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenntsnyder/

Earn Your CPE Credit

For CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, and answer a few questions and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[01:42] – Meet Jeff Bernstein

[04:58] – Transitioning to Public Company

[08:36] – The Role of FP&A in IPO

[12:44] – Investor Trust and Forecasting

[17:10] – Financial Integrity

[21:58] – Preparing for the IPO Process

[26:35] – Stress-Testing Forecasts

[30:42] – Earning Investor Trust

[34:18] – Organizational...

In this engaging episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes back Bryan Lapidus, Director of FP&A Practice at the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP), to explore how finance professionals can better prepare for the evolving demands of the industry. They discuss how AFP supports the finance community, the role of technology in shaping FP&A, and why soft skills are critical in today’s collaborative environment.

Bryan Lapidus is the Director of FP&A Practice at AFP, where he serves as a subject matter expert on financial planning and analysis. With more than 20 years in FP&A and treasury at organizations like American Express and Fannie Mae, Bryan brings deep knowledge of corporate finance. At AFP, he develops thought leadership, leads advisory councils, and curates content that helps professionals thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.

Expect to Learn:

1. The two core competencies every great FP&A professional must master
2. Why “getting out from behind the screen” matters for business insight
3. How AFP curates learning and networking experiences for finance professionals
4. What to expect from AFP’s FP&A Forum and Annual Conference
5. How to avoid low-value work and focus on driving business impact

This episode highlights the evolving role of FP&A, emphasizing the need for both strong technical skills and human-centered business insight. Bryan Lapidus reminds us that tools like AI are valuable, but true impact comes from understanding the business and adding strategic value. Continuous learning and community are key to thriving in today’s finance landscape.

Campfire: AI-First ERP:

Campfire is the AI-first ERP that powers next-gen finance and accounting teams. With integrated solutions for the general ledger, revenue automation,

close management, and more, all in one unified platform.

Explore Campfire today: https://campfire.ai/?utm_source=fpaguy_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=100225_fpaguy

Follow Bryan:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/bryan-lapidus-fpac

Company - https://www.linkedin.com/company/association-for-financial-professionals/

Earn Your CPE Credit

For CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, and answer a few questions and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[03:33] – What Is AFP?

[05:38] – What Makes Great FP&A?

[13:34] – Inside the AFP Conference

[18:13] – How AFP Chooses Conference Tracks

[23:12] – AFP FP&A Forum Highlights

[27:30] – How Soft Skills Shape Career...

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst talks with Ben Pierce, General Manager of Workday Adaptive Planning, to discuss the evolving landscape of FP&A, the challenges of planning software, and the future of finance in an AI-driven world. Ben shares his career journey, from semiconductor engineering to leadership roles in the FP&A software industry, and dives into his vision for how AI is transforming the way businesses plan and make decisions.

Ben Pierce is an experienced executive with over two decades of experience in the enterprise software industry. Currently, he leads Workday Adaptive Planning’s global strategy, growth, and innovation efforts. Prior to joining Workday, Ben held senior roles in several companies, including River Logic, Tidemark, and IBM, where he honed his expertise in analytics, financial software, and business leadership. His career has been shaped by his passion for leveraging technology to improve business operations and drive impactful change.

Expect to Learn:

1. Why Ben believes the future of FP&A is in AI and analytics
2. The importance of challenging the business with actionable insights
3. How to make FP&A tools work for you, not just as a data repository
4. What to consider when choosing and implementing FP&A software
5. The balance between strategic planning and flexible budgeting processes

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

1. "A great FP&A partner doesn’t just provide data, they come to the table with a point of view and push you to do better." – Ben Pierce
2. "At the end of the day, it’s not about the tool, it’s about the implementation and how you engage with it." – Ben Pierce

Ben Pierce offers invaluable insights into FP&A, emphasizing the need for technology to not only streamline processes but also enhance decision-making capabilities. His advice on selecting the right FP&A tools and the importance of having a supportive implementation partner is essential for any finance team looking to modernize their planning processes.

Campfire: AI-First ERP:

Campfire is the AI-first ERP that powers next-gen finance and accounting teams. With integrated solutions for the general ledger, revenue automation,

close management, and more, all in one unified platform.

Explore Campfire today: https://campfire.ai/?utm_source=fpaguy_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=100225_fpaguy

Free Trial of Workday

Try Workday Adaptive Planning free for 30 days -

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Noam Sever, Head of Global FP&A at Cellebrite, for a deep and thoughtful conversation on building impactful finance teams, scaling FP&A processes, and the human side of finance leadership. Noam shares his experience driving financial planning in high-growth environments and highlights the value of simplicity, consistency, and communication in finance transformation. This episode is a masterclass in aligning FP&A with business needs and building trust through data, systems, and people.

Noam Sever is a seasoned finance executive with over 15 years of leadership across global tech and manufacturing firms. At Cellebrite, he leads a multinational FP&A team overseeing full P&L ownership, strategic planning, and operational excellence. His expertise includes business modeling, systems implementation, and data-driven decision-making. Known for his structured approach and people-first mindset, Noam is passionate about building agile finance organizations that deliver real business impact.

Expect to Learn:

1. Why “tiny gains” and small process improvements compound to drive big FP&A impact
2. How to scale FP&A processes from startup chaos to structured efficiency
3. The importance of aligning finance with go-to-market and sales operations
4. Why trust, communication, and curiosity are the top soft skills in FP&A
5. The framework Noam uses to evaluate when and how to scale teams, tools, and processes

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

1. As a company scales, FP&A must shift from being reactive to becoming a proactive business partner.” – Noam Sever
2. Start simple, make it repeatable, and always leave room to improve. That’s the foundation of great FP&A.” – Noam Sever

Noam Sever offers a blueprint for building impactful FP&A teams through simplicity, structure, and strategic business partnership. His insights emphasize that real value comes from understanding the business, earning trust, and continuously improving processes to drive meaningful results.

Campfire: AI-First ERP:

Campfire is the AI-first ERP that powers next-gen finance and accounting teams. With integrated solutions for the general ledger, revenue automation,

close management, and more, all in one unified platform.

Explore Campfire today: https://campfire.ai/?utm_source=fpaguy_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=100225_fpaguy

Follow Noam:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/noamsever/

Company - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cellebrite/

Earn Your CPE Credit

For CPE credit, please go to

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst talks with Andrew Hull, a seasoned finance leader in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. They explore the role of FP&A professionals in driving business results, navigating inflation, and transitioning from traditional budgeting to impactful analytics.

Andrew Hull is a financial executive with over two decades of experience in CPG. Currently the Vice President of Finance at UNFI Canada, Andrew has a proven track record of partnering with business leaders to deliver results through strategic insights and principled financial analysis. With a competitive spirit and passion for team leadership, Andrew shares his unique approach to FP&A, analytics, and the importance of actionable storytelling.

Expect to Learn:

1. The three pillars of great FP&A are technical skills, storytelling, and actionable decisions.
2. Why Andrew advocates for changing FP&A to “FA&P” and focusing more on analytics.
3. Lessons learned from leading finance during the pandemic.
4. Key metrics for success in the distribution industry include variable margin and truck utilization.
5. Practical advice for accelerating budget processes and focusing on analytics that drive results.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

1. "The most value FP&A can add is when we take complex data and distill it into actionable insights." - Andrew Hull
2. "Variable margin is the backbone of understanding financial performance in a distribution business."- Andrew Hull
3. "A one-page visual with clear recommendations is the best way to communicate with executives."- Andrew Hull

Andrew Hull shared a wealth of knowledge for FP&A professionals, including rethinking the role of analytics to the importance of actionable storytelling. His practical advice on managing inflation, leading during a crisis, and accelerating the budgeting process offers valuable lessons.

Campfire: AI-First ERP:

Campfire is the AI-first ERP that powers next-gen finance and accounting teams. With integrated solutions for the general ledger, revenue automation,

close management, and more, all in one unified platform.

Explore Campfire today: https://campfire.ai/?utm_source=fpaguy_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=100225_fpaguy

Follow Andrew:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhull4/

Follow Paul:

Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com

LinkedIn -

In this episode, Paul Barnhurst looks into practical frameworks and leadership strategies for finance professionals with guest Brett Hampson. Brett discusses what he believes constitutes great FP&A and how grassroots finance transformations, rather than top-down technology implementations, can foster a proactive, value-creating FP&A culture.

Brett Hampson has spent over a decade in corporate FP&A, working with some of the world’s largest companies. He is the author of The FP&A Operating System, a book that outlines his approach to establishing a high-functioning FP&A department. Brett is also the founder of Forecasting Performance, a platform that promotes best practices in financial analysis and forecasting.

Expect to Learn

1. What grassroots finance transformation entails and why it’s preferable to technology-centric approaches.
2. How to implement Brett’s FP&A Operating System and FP&A Flywheel framework to drive efficiency and value.
3. The importance of setting a clear vision and objectives for FP&A teams to move from reactive to proactive operations.
4. How to leverage attribution analysis and storytelling to enhance FP&A’s influence on business decisions.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

1. “Grassroots finance transformation happens when each person on the team has their own vision and works towards solving specific challenges.” - Brett Hampson
2. “Technology alone doesn’t solve problems. It might fix one, but often creates new ones if cultural issues aren’t addressed first.” - Brett Hampson

With insights into creating effective FP&A systems and teams, Brett Hampson provides a refreshing perspective on FP&A transformation. He highlights the importance of people, process, and then technology, in that order, as the foundation for a high-performing FP&A team.

Follow Brett:

Website - https://bretthampson.gumroad.com/l/proactive

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-hampson/

Newsletter - https://blog.forecastingperformance.com/subscribe

Follow Paul:

Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Earn Your CPE Credit

For CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, and answer a few questions and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[02:12] - Brett’s Background and Introduction

[05:17] - The Creation of The FP&A Operating System

[08:04] - Developing a Proactive FP&A...

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes back Jordan Goldmeier, Excel expert, author, and longtime friend of the show, for a wide-ranging and honest conversation about careers, technology, and growth. Jordan reflects on his unconventional career path, from auditing and operations research to becoming a Microsoft MVP, author, and entrepreneur. The discussion covers Excel’s evolution, why many finance professionals underuse powerful tools, and Jordan’s latest projects aimed at modernizing how power users work with spreadsheets.

Jordan is an entrepreneur, event producer, author, and Microsoft Excel MVP based in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. He is widely known for his work helping professionals master Excel, data analysis, and modern spreadsheet practices. Jordan has authored several well-known books, including Advanced Excel Essentials, Dashboards for Excel, and Becoming a Data Head. In addition to his work in Excel education, he produces global events that bring together leaders across finance, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Expect to Learn:

• How Jordan’s career twists shaped his approach to Excel, data, and problem-solving
• Why most professionals only scratch the surface of Excel’s capabilities
• Jordan’s perspective on why VBA is outdated and what could replace it
• Why vertical learning beats beginner–intermediate–advanced training paths

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• “Excel isn’t dead, but the way we develop in it needs to change.” – Jordan Goldmeier
• “You don’t become great by learning everything. You become great by going deep where it matters.” – Jordan Goldmeier

Jordan also shares the story behind his latest project: a developer-style environment designed to help Excel power users work faster, cleaner, and more confidently, without relying on outdated tools like VBA. He explains why Excel should be treated as part of a broader finance tech stack and how modern coding concepts could dramatically improve spreadsheet workflows.

Campfire: AI-First ERP:

Campfire is the AI-first ERP that powers next-gen finance and accounting teams. With integrated solutions for the general ledger, revenue automation,

close management, and more, all in one unified platform.

Explore Campfire today: https://campfire.ai/?utm_source=fpaguy_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=100225_fpaguy

Follow Jordan

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordangoldmeier/

Earn Your CPE Credit

For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FP&A Certificate, take the quiz on Earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode:

[02:15] – Jordan’s Career Journey

[08:30] – Setbacks, Resets, and Growth

[15:00] – Writing Books on Excel

[25:59] – How Excel Is Really Used

[29:12] – Why VBA Is Outdated

[33:54] – Building Better Tools for Excel

[42:25] – Advice for FP&A Professionals

[47:16] – Creating Your Own Network

[52:12] – Rapid-Fire & Final Thoughts

Disclaimer:

This is a podswap episode from The Growth-Minded CFO, hosted by Lauren Pearl and Alex Louisy, featuring Kate Gulliver, CFO and CEO of Wayfair.

The path to becoming a CFO today is rarely a straight line. Finance leaders are increasingly coming from diverse backgrounds, bringing a broad range of skills to the role. After all, the best CFOs don’t just manage numbers; they shape strategy, foster talent, and drive innovation across an organization.

In this episode of The Growth-Minded CFO, hosts Lauren and Alex sit down with Kate Gulliver, CFO and CAO of Wayfair. It's an insightful conversation about leadership, adaptability, and impact. Kate shares her journey from investor relations to overseeing finance, legal, talent, and corporate communication, offering a rare look at the evolution of a top executive.

She reflects on the challenges of stepping into new roles, the power of an entrepreneurial mindset in a high-growth company, and the lessons learned from integrating finance with people strategy. Kate also opens up about balancing a demanding career with motherhood and the importance of fostering an inclusive, authentic workplace.

In this Episode:

[00:58] - Meet Kate Gulliver: Wayfair's Multifaceted Leader

[01:53] - Journey Through Wayfair: From IPO to CFO

[06:55] - Transitioning to Talent: A Leap of Faith

[10:28] - Learning and Leading in Talent Management

[16:08] - The CFO Perspective: Integrating Talent and Finance

[17:11] - Navigating the CFO Role: Insights and Reflections

[18:50] - The Importance of Cross-Departmental Communication

[21:30] - Wayfair's Latest Launch: Wayfair Verified

[24:49] - Operationalizing New Ideas at Wayfair

[29:59] - Balancing Work and Life

[33:23] - The Importance of Authenticity at Work

Connect with Kate:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-gulliver-3b242762

Connect with Alex:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlouisy/

Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenepearl/

Follow The Growth-Minded CFO:

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